- My baby at 12 weeks
Super exciting
My 12 week scan! This scan is a dating scan, to check if the baby is developing properly and most importantly to check if there is actually a baby in there!
For a split second I got a bit freaked out when the lady carrying out the ultrasound scan said “right, let’s check if there’s a baby in there”. I started thinking “omg what if there isn’t and I’m just dying of disease which would explain the sickness. If that’s the case then I’ve just wasted this woman’s time!”
There was of course a baby in there and it seemed to be doing fine. Even though this is the third baby I’m having, that feeling of seeing the baby jumping around in my tummy is still super exciting. My hubby and I couldn’t stop smiling.
Good sign
They took blood for several tests including a combined screening test for Downs Syndrome and other abnormalities. I was a little worried about this test since I’m over 35 now and the risk of chromosomal abnormalities increases around this age. Some people don’t want to know as they would have the baby regardless of any of these issues but I wanted the test.
I was told that I would get a phone call within five days if I needed more intensive tests, but if I was considered low risk I would receive a letter in the post within two weeks.
The letter arrived yesterday and it turns out my risk of having a child with Downs Syndrome is 1 in 7500. This is the lower than in my previous pregnancies so that’s a good sign.
However there is always that slim chance that the baby could have an abnormality.
Blessing
I’m not sure I would knowingly have a baby with Downs as their life would be more difficult and their additional needs would put pressure on the rest of the family too. However I won’t choose to have invasive and more accurate tests (amniocentesis or CVS) as those tests have a risk of miscarriage. Also I think sometimes your baby can be born looking completely normal and physically healthy but may have autism or other additional needs. You can’t rule everything out.
At the end of the day a baby is a blessing and the child will be an individual, with it’s own strengths and challenges. Sometimes all you can do is look after yourself, smile, be positive, and believe in the Almighty.
